title: Vibrant Soundbridge implantation via the third window in two Chinese patients with severe bilateral congenital aural atresia.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with undeveloped vestibular/oval windows and inaccessible round windows, Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) implantation performed by placing the transducer into a reconstructed window on the inner tympanum wall demonstrated significant improvement in hearing and verbal communication ability.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report our surgical experience with new placement of the VSB in pediatric patients with undeveloped vestibular windows, inaccessible round windows, and severe bilateral congenital aural atresia (CAA).
  
  
  METHODS
  In two patients with bilateral CAA selected for middle ear implantation, CT scans revealed severe middle ear malformation including inaccessible round windows, absence of vestibular/oval windows, and abnormal facial nerve anatomy. The transducer of the VSB was implanted into a 'window' drilled at the inner tympanum wall in both patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The surgery was successful. Pure-tone air conduction thresholds across the frequencies of 0.25-8 Hz were improved by 35 dB (preoperation, 69.2 dB; postactivation, 34 dB) in patient 1 and 46.6 dB (preoperation, 75.8 dB; postactivation, 24.2 dB) in patient 2. Normal hearing thresholds were achieved in the range of 1-8 kHz in both patients. A sentence recognition rate of up to 100% (65 dB SPL in a quiet room) was attained by both patients after surgery and VSB activation at 3 months postoperatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Institute of Otolaryngology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Medical School , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Shi-Ming
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yi-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Jia-Nan
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qing-Shan
authors.initials: QS
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.forename: Hai-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Dong-Yi
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001299:Audiometry; D002648:Child; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D004423:Ear / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D019933:Ossicular Replacement / Q000379:methods*